We are passionate + resolute

We act with integrity + earn trust

Our story

Ker & Downey® Africa was founded with the mission to create unique adventures that challenge, connect and build legacies.

Our tagline Pioneering African Travel is a daily challenge to each and every member of Ker & Downey® Africa. It is one that continually inspires us to push the boundaries of African travel with a spirit of adventure and exploration.

We are incredibly passionate about creating African experiences for people from around the globe that are nothing short of life changing. The only way we know how to do that is by creating original and thrilling adventures for our guests that challenge them, give them opportunity to connect with the people and cultures they visit, and leave their legacy.

What we do

In four simple steps, to be exact.

Step one

Research.

Asset 2

We connect you with the perfect LuxVenture®. This means that we need to spend time getting to know you. Your trip planning process kicks off with a free 10 minute consultation with one of our world class Adventurists. They’ll get a good grip on what makes you tick and how to deliver on our promise of a life changing African adventure. Most importantly, they would like to know... what drink should be waiting for you in camp at the end of your adventurous day.

Step two

Plan.

Asset 2

We get to work. We take everything we now know about you, your adventure levels, desires and hopes for your trip and we match you with the perfect LuxVenture® trip. Nothing less will suffice. This is a collaborative process, so let’s work together to craft your perfect experience.

Step three

Commit.

Asset 2

Take a breath, are you ready? Once we get your go ahead we make every single booking for you. From your international flights to your walking safari, meal reservations, cultural tours, transfers - everything. You won’t have to email, phone, click, remember, schedule, post a single thing. It’s all us.

Step four

Go.

Asset 2

It's time for your life changing LuxVenture® trip. Your adventure concierge will ensure that every detail of your trip is planned and executed to our world class service standards. Your adventure concierge will be one step ahead of you all the way through your trip ensuring that every transfer, flight and hotel arrival is well expected and ready. Finally, in the case of any emergency your adventure concierge is on call to immediately assist.

Meet the Experts

The most adventurous travel team on the planet.

Meet Sarah

Sarah is potentially our most epic adventurer. If there’s something adrenaline pumping, she’s done it or planning to do it. Sarah’s a world travelling adventurer that’s all about the experience and the ride.

"Thanks for all your help. We are looking forward to a great experience thanks to you."

Meet Johanna

Johanna is a positive and hardworking member of our German division. Being both well travelled and a people’s person Johanna puts together incredible trips for her German clients from smaller groups to very large incentive travel groups.

Meet Marcelo

Marcelo is one of our most seasoned adventurists. Having planned world class experiences for South American clients that include royalty, politicians and celebrities, if you’re looking for the best of the best, he’s your man.

Meet Patrick

Meet Lee

Lee Kelsall is our CEO, although he prefers the title Chief Adventure Officer internally - the perfect illustration for the strategy and direction he is currently enabling Ker & Downey Africa to pursue and perfect in the age old safari industry.

Meet Emma

With adventure solidly engrained in her soul Emma loves trying new things, experiencing new cultures and taking on new challenges. Emma puts together trips of a lifetime for her clients with unmatched care and professionalism.

Share via:

Hi there, good to meet you.

I’m Wolfe. I’m a ranger, wildlife expert, adventurer and passionate explorer. I grew up in Southern Africa, and I know Africa like the back of my hand. That’s good news for you, because it means that you’ve got someone that can help you find the answers or travel experiences you’re really after. Look out for my field notes throughout the site, those are notes that you can trust because they’ve been learned through rough, tough experience in the African bush.

Meet Wolfe

It was there where he developed a love for treacherous adventures, wild game and stiff drinks.

Wolfe hasn’t met anybody that can match his tracking ability, sense of direction in the wild, African instinct or bush know-how.

This means that he never misses an opportunity to guide people in the right direction when it comes to planning their African adventure and he takes the experience of those that travel on his advice extremely personally.

Favourite Destination?The Congo. It’s there, with my boots fighting through the toughest mud in Africa, Gorilla around the corner, that I’m finally able to find release, find freedom, find fear.

How to find me

It’s always important to stick close to your guide. If at any point you need a question answered - whether you’re just exploring the website or actually in Africa - look for this icon, hit it and shoot through your question. I’m always here.

How to find your experience

It’s easy to get lost in the inspiration lined pages of this site, but if you’re here to find a LuxVenture™ trip that fits what you’re after, there are 3 main ways to get to what you need.

If you’re after a specific experience like tracking on foot or horseback safari, hit the menu button and select ‘LuxVenture™ Trips’. On that page you’ll find a filter option where you can pick and choose your experience, and find related experiences.

If you already know which country you want to visit, hit the menu button and select ‘Destinations’. There you’ll find a list of destinations we offer.

If you’re basing your trip purely on when you, your friends and family can get time off, head to the Home Page and scroll down until you reach the trip finder. There we’ll suggest some trips based on the month you’re looking to travel in.

Click or tap the heart icon to save to your wishlist

Your Wishlist

There was a simpler time when travel planning just involved asking your mate where he thinks is good this time of year and off you’d go. These days things are complicated, and it can be tough to keep your wild ideas organised. Enter your wishlist.

Anything with the ‘heart’ icon on the site can be added to your wishlist, and kept there for you to look at when you get to planning, share with your friends and family or scroll through endlessly when you need a break from that ever full email inbox of yours.

Your Profile

Once you’ve signed up and set up your wishlist you’ll have a profile. You can edit your profile and reset your password at any time. What’s a profile for?

First off it just helps me know who I’m speaking to, but with your profile info I’ll make sure your experience with Ker & Downey Africa and this website is made better and more relevant to what makes you tick. I’m here to make your travel wishes a reality so the more you give me, the more I can help you.